FIFA president Gianni Infantino is denying allegations that UEFA made a six-figure payment to a woman who allegedly had a relationship with him while he served as UEFA's general secretary.
A Daily Telegraph investigation reported that UEFA paid the woman a six-figure sum during Infantino's tenure at the organization, which ran from 2009 to 2016. BBC Sport reported on the findings Friday.
A FIFA spokesman pushed back on the claims. "Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," the spokesman told the Telegraph. "No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved."
UEFA did not dispute that a payment was made. The organization confirmed in a statement that a departure payment was made to the individual in question and that it covered fees for her to complete an MBA course at a local business school. UEFA said all payments were in line with regulations at the time, but acknowledged those regulations have since been tightened to reflect standards found in a modern, high-profile organization.
The allegations arrive at a difficult moment for Infantino. He is already facing calls to resign as FIFA president following his aborted plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The 56-year-old apologized for errors in those proposals but did not step down after receiving backing from senior executives at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
Norway has called for Infantino to resign. European teams have threatened to boycott FIFA events, saying certain conditions have not been met despite the investment plans being withdrawn. The Football Association has also withdrawn its support for Infantino.
Not all confederations have turned against him. Conmebol, the South American confederation, and the Confederation of African Football have backed Infantino, as have the football associations of World Cup co-hosts Mexico and tournament runners-up Argentina.
Infantino joined UEFA in 2000, became secretary general in 2009, and was appointed FIFA president in 2016. BBC Sport said it contacted both FIFA and Infantino directly for comment.
